The Pha That Puak stupa in Khop district, Xayaboury province. - Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: Preparations are underway for the annual Pha That Puak festival taking place in Khop district, Xayaboury province, from March 19-21.
The festival celebrates the ancient and revered stupa, which is cherished by the local community and venerated as a place of worship and supplication.
The stupa is more than 400 years old and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Buddhists.
A provincial official said this year’s festival promises a raft of colourful activities, including religious ceremonies, a grand procession, live concerts, a beauty contest and a street fair, and will also showcase the traditional lifestyles of local ethnic groups.
In addition to the Pha That Puak Stupa festival, Xayaboury province hosts several other notable annual events.
The Boun Kong Khao Yai festival (rice festival) celebrates the rice harvest, while the Elephant Festival, the province’s most popular event, attracts numerous visitors who come to witness circus acts performed by the elephants. Each year, the festival draws large crowds eager to see these majestic animals led and trained by their mahouts.
There is also a vibrant street market where vendors set up a huge range of stalls.
Xayaboury province, which is located in northern Laos about 300km from Vientiane, offers a range of attractions for visitors.
The province boasts 29 officially designated nature-based sites, 12 cultural landmarks, and six historical locations. It is also home to a National Protected Area rich in biodiversity, making it a prime destination for eco-tourism and cultural exploration. - Vientiane Times/ANN
